11 Things to Do in Paris in April

April is arguably one of the best months to visit the French capital: spring in Paris is a magical time when the city is filled with beautiful, colourful streets, numerous concerts fill the calendar and important art and craft exhibitions are held. Read on to discover the 10 best things to do if you're travelling to the French capital in April.

Although Versailles is rarely empty, arriving at opening time to discover the beautiful gardens surrounding the Royal Palace of Versailles is definitely worth it. What's more, if you're visiting Paris for a day in April or just travelling to Paris for two days, you should stop by this iconic place to get some fresh air and enjoy the grandeur of the place.

The fresh air that fills your lungs as you walk through the Grand Trianon is very special. If the weather is good, it's a great idea to buy tickets for the Palace of Versailles, the gardens and Marie Antoinette's estate and admire the spring flowers, which should be at their peak.

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Disneyland Paris for two main reasons:

• Excellent weather: in April, you avoid the excessive heat of summer and the cold of winter. Considering that the park is outdoors and that you will be spending a lot of time queuing, the weather conditions are very important.
• Fewer tourists: as long as you avoid Easter (when it falls in April), this month is perfect for avoiding the large crowds that gather in summer. It's true that there are less touristy months, but these are precisely when the weather isn't so good.

If you've already made up your mind, don't forget to book your tickets for Disneyland Paris in advance. When you make your booking, you can choose between buying a ticket for one park (Disneyland or Walt Disney Studios) or saving money by buying both. However, bear in mind that these tickets are for one day, so if you want to spend more time enjoying yourself like a kid, I recommend buying tickets for several days, which also include access to both parks.

The Paris Marathon begins on Sunday in early April at the Arc de Triomphe when 65,000 runners from around the world start the course along the Champs-Élysées and around a quarter of a million spectators line the 26.2-mile (42.2 km) route to watch the race.

Pre-race events include the 3-day Paris Marathon Expo at Porte de Versailles, where you can also pick up your race number, and a 5 km breakfast run.

Whether you're running or watching the Marathon route, the course will give you spectacular views of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre and Paris' two huge wooded parks. You can enjoy this beautiful route on foot by booking a guided tour of Paris, which also includes tickets to the Arc de Triomphe.

If modern or contemporary art is your passion, the annual Art Paris fair should be at the top of your must-see list for April:

• It is held at the Grand Palais in early April.
• You can view works by more than 1,000 artists from over 70 countries.
• Renowned and emerging artists put on special performances.
• Individual exhibitions and digital projections are on display.
• Tickets cost around £25.

Paris is a city full of museums and works of art, and if you really want to make the most of your visit to the French capital, I recommend purchasing the Paris Pass, which includes admission to many of the city's museums, as well as other benefits such as access to the Big Bus Paris and a sightseeing cruise. Sounds good, doesn't it?
Access to Big Bus Paris

Although the magnolias in the city are beginning to fade, there's no denying that some of the fluffiest cherry blossoms are in full bloom during the first two weeks of April. And what better way to see them than by booking a city tour that includes a visit to the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie and a cruise on the Seine?

In fact, some of the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Paris are the trees surrounding Notre Dame Cathedral. You'll see thousands of bright pink flowers on the south side of the cathedral, which reach their peak in April.

You can also cross the Seine and visit the Quai de Montebello. There, the density of cherry trees is even greater, so it's not uncommon to see a blanket of flowers that you can pick and put in a vase following the Parisian tradition. The scents are enchanting!

This annual event is a dream come true for book lovers, with over 150 exhibitors. The fair is held in the temporary Grand Palais on the Champ de Mars , in the open air.

Enjoying a literary atmosphere in the midst of spring without walls as a backdrop is quite an experience. Although the dates may vary depending on the weather, you can find all the information you need on the official Champ de Mars website.

A great option for getting there and seeing the most important sights in Paris is to book a seat on the Paris tourist bus.

The Paris Art and Design event has been running for over 18 years in the Tuileries Gardens. It takes place at the beginning of April and usually lasts only 4 to 5 days, so be sure not to miss this opportunity, especially if art runs through your veins. And if so, don't hesitate to book a private art tour in Paris, fully tailored to your interests and preferences.

Attendees range from professional designers and collectors to those who simply enjoy finding interesting pieces or inspiration for their homes.

The best time to take a day trip to Château de Sceaux, which is like something out of a fairy tale, is in April.

After all, it is here, on the grounds of the French château, that you will discover an orchard planted with cherry trees in full bloom in mid-April. Although it is no longer the hidden gem it was just a few years ago, be sure to head there as early as possible to enjoy the views without the crowds!

Speaking of books, another annual book fair is held in the French capital and is said to be one of the most popular literature-related festivals in the world. At the end of April, all kinds of books and bibliophiles descend on the city to celebrate the written word!

For more details about the fair, visit the :::link|text=Livre Paris website|url=https://www.festivaldulivredeparis.fr. You can also find information on the website about the authors who will be attending and all the mini-events that will accompany these three days of international fair.

The Foire du Trône attracts nearly 5 million visitors and is held every year during April and May in the Bois de Vicennes, in the 12th arrondissement. It is a fair famous for its carnival attractions, stuffed animals, French fries and beer.

Admission is completely free and prices are quite reasonable. You can get there by metro, getting off at the Porte Dorée stop (it's a good idea to know how to use the metro in Paris).

Visit the huge Foire du Trône in Paris to be part of a tradition that dates back to 857 when the 15-year-old King Lothair established the first Fun Fair. Interestingly, the first fair was a kind of festive market filled with acrobats and games of chance to entertain the crowds.

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Promenade plantée (also known as Coulée verte René-Dumont). A railway line that was in poor condition until it was converted into a walkway in 1993 with flowers in abundance.

You can also get fantastic views of the city as you stroll along this 4.5 km elevated walkway with tons of green space. Highly recommended in April!

We could name many reasons why you should visit Paris in April:

• The first reason, without a doubt, is the arrival of warmer temperatures.
• Another reason to visit the city of love at this time of year is to see the plants in bloom, while the trees are naturally adorned with flowers and fruits.
• April, along with October in Paris, are the best months to visit Paris because these months have a good balance between warm weather and fewer crowds.

Plus, you won't get bored here. I can assure you that there are many things to do in Paris in April, both outdoors and indoors.

Averages in April are slightly higher than in March in Paris. Not only does it rain a little less, but it is also warmer than the previous month. The sun also shines more often. Paris in April experiences, on average, 25 mm of rainfall, only slightly more than in March.

On the other hand, April comes with many hours of sunshine per day, around 5 to be more specific. For someone visiting this region of Europe, it is a real treat.

As for the temperature in Paris in April, it can rise considerably during the day, allowing for pleasant walks along the Seine River or in the city's parks.

• Minimum temperature: 7°C
• Maximum temperature: 16°C
• Average daytime temperature: 11°C

If you're going to Paris in April, you should know that the city will experience a bit of everything throughout the month: rain, sun and wind. Comfortable trainers for during the day should definitely be on your list of things to take to Paris. And for the evening, pack a pair of faux leather boots, which will definitely come in handy as temperatures drop at night.

Unless it's unusually cold for the time of year, you won't need a hat or gloves, but a light scarf is always a good idea in Paris. And one last tip: make sure you pack a good anti-theft bag wherever you go, especially if you're staying for seven days or more, or if you need to get around a lot. Paris is full of pickpockets.

Paris is the most visited city in Europe. The peak tourist season from July to September sees thousands of tourists wandering around Paris.

In April, the crowds are much smaller. Any attraction you visit won't have mile-long queues or crowds of people blocking your view.